Steph ^_^V

The Game

~Xellos.~ The deal was presented cheerfully enough,
a simple bargain, a
simple hungry price ... and a darkly veiled threat.
He listened to it
with half an ear, heard it echo within him and vanish
into the
emptiness. Gourry didn't get it, his face the usual
vague blankness.
Amelia was too young to understand it's nature. Lina
too innocent to
comprehend the price. He understood. Completely.

Zelgadis tilted his head back and smirked at the
Trickster. "Neh,
Xellos, feeling a little ... tense?" The shattered
and broken child was
forgotten, had been forgotten long ago.

"The nights are cold, Chimera ..." the smirk was
returned, dark smile
twisting into mirth as he realized the chimera
*knew*. The child that
had wept into the darkness, had hugged himself to
forget about the hands
that explored and the buyers that whispered from the
shadows.

"And you're looking for a little something to warm
your bed." So simple
this offer, like so many before. That child was gone
and forgotten.
The betrayal had sealed his fate, destroyed his hope.
Now there was
nothing. Just the emptiness. Just the Game.

"Neh, then let's forget about robbing cradles,
kisama. Pick someone
with a little experience." Zelgadis stepped forward,
spreading his
arms, conveniently separating Lina from the Mazoku,
guarding her.
"Someone with a little expertise."

Xellos tilted his head slightly, eyes hidden under
the shadows of his
hair. Both their eyes were hidden in shadows, hiding
whatever emotions
shone behind the amethyst and azure orbs. The smile
was slight, almost
nothing, but it was smug. "Very well."

A Pawn has one purpose. Even one that had been
broken, one that had
been mended because of it's possible use. Strength
was everything and
he was strong. A Pawn in a greater Game. He had
learned that long,
long ago. He didn't matter, he was nothing. The
purpose was
everything. Even though he was simply a Pawn. But
even a Pawn has it's
uses. And Pawns must be sacrificed. The Bishop was
dead. The next
move was in play. The Pawn confronts the Queen to
save the Knight. For
the Knight will kill the King.

Zelgadis stepped into Xellos's waiting arms.